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People buy vegetables at the newly inaugurated Khensa marketing complex, on June 11 at Sangtemla ward in Mokokchung town.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Mokokchung, June 11 (EMN): A new marketing complex, ‘Khensa marketing complex,’ was inaugurated at Sangtemla ward on June 11 in Mokokchung.
The businesses at the complex will be operated exclusively by upcoming, young entrepreneurs and women from Khensa village, in the district. It was formally inaugurated by Mokokchung additional deputy commissioner W Manpai Phom.
The new complex is below the Canara Bank.
In his address, Phom asserted that the marketing complex was a long-felt need for Mokokchung town ‘because for the town to grow, it needs infrastructure plus connectivity.’ He congratulated the citizens of Khensa for the milestone.
He expressed hope that the new market would ensure the essentials for the town besides ‘giving a boost to the local economy.’
‘When it comes to business, the Naga has a mentality to start with big investments which is not healthy in the long run,’ he said. In this regard, he opined that instead going for a big-scale investment, they can start small and in a sustainable manner.
The officer observed that the Mokokchung municipal area has limited space suitable for marketing. However, it has created a ‘strategic location for commerce,’ he said besides urging the citizens of Khensa to make the marketing complex ‘inclusive’ for common interests instead of making it exclusive for a particular group.
Another matter that Phom mentioned was the use of single use plastic. He said plastic pollution has become a huge burden for the society today. The Nagaland government has taken measures to combat pollution by banning all single-use plastic in the state including Mokokchung district, where the ban has been declared too.
However, the official said that the town lacks behind in the implementation of total ban on single-use plastic. He urged the community stakeholders and denizens of Mokokchung to cooperate and take responsibility in combating plastic pollution. That way, they can contribute to transforming the town into a plastic-free zone which can become exemplary for other districts, the gathering was told.
Another matter which Phom talked about was the Inter State Bus Terminal (ISBT) at Mokokchung. He spoke about actions that are being initiated to turn the semi-defunct station into a fully functional commercial bus terminal. He informed that from June 15 all private buses will start operating from the ISBT, along with NST buses, which is the only bus service that is currently operating from the ISBT.
Phom urged the community of the town and Khensa villagers that to make the ISBT a successful venture they need to cooperate to connect areas that lack connectivity.
Dr. Sahiyangba, of the Land Resource division of Mokokchung informed that the marketing venture’s main target is to provide livelihood to educated unemployed youths and women through agriculture produce. He said that start-up financial assistance are provided to upcoming entrepreneurs to start business.
Only biodegradable bags and sacks will be used at the complex, he said. There are further plans to introduce the use of biodegradable bags and sacks at the ‘Watsu bazar’ at the MMC complex too, he informed.
Another venture Sahiyangba, no surname available at the time this report was filed, informed that the first coffee house in Mokokchung has been opened at the complex. Coffees produced from Mokokchung will be served there, he said.
The programme was organized by the Land Resource division of Mokokchung in collaboration with the Khensa Village Council.